Ep 5. Caregiver

Jackie has a tough time maintaining her relationship with Kevin as their marriage troubles continue to persist. The couple is unable to spend quality time together due to their conflicting schedules. Moreover, Kevin's sister, Tunie pays an unannounced visit to them and Jackie is unhappy about having her around. Meanwhile, Eddie's wife, Ginny, gives birth to a baby boy, which puts Eddie in a dilemma. Although he is excited about being a father, he is worried about his job security as a pharmacist at the hospital.

On the caregiving side of things, Jackie helps out Dr. Cooper by taking care of his mother, a dementia patient. Nurse Akalitus assigns Jackie a new nursing student, Kelly Slater, to train who turns out to be a promising student. Jackie sees a bit of herself in Kelly while training her and often shares practical tips with her on how to deal with the patients.

The episode is a look into the professional and personal lives of the characters on the show. Jackie continues to struggle with her addiction while trying to maintain a balance between her personal and professional life. The show explores Jackie's struggle to avoid relapse and stay clean. We see her attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings and working her way through sobriety.

The show also delves into the struggles of caregivers, many of whom are unpaid, overworked, and often overlooked. Jackie shows compassion and empathy in her caregiving duties towards Dr. Cooper's mother and highlights the importance of taking care of the elderly with dementia.

The episode also explores the various layers of relationships that exist on the show. Jackie and Kevin's troubles are highlighted as they try to navigate their busy schedules. Eddie's relationship with his wife is also shown to be in jeopardy as they both deal with the arrival of their new baby and the complications it brings.

Overall, the episode is a well-crafted exploration of the intertwined personal and professional lives of the characters on the show. It is a reminder of the humanity of those who care for others and the struggles they face. The episode also serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and patience in caregiving.